Pharaoh פַּרְעֹה
Egyptian Pharaoh during Jeremiah's time
Who is Pharaoh in the Bible?
Pharaoh in the Bible most commonly refers to the Egyptian rulers who opposed God's people, particularly during the exodus when Pharaoh refused to release the Israelites from slavery. However, the term also appears in later biblical prophecy, such as in Jeremiah 25:19, where an unnamed Pharaoh is mentioned as one of the rulers destined to face God's judgment and drink from the cup of His wrath. Based on historical context, this later Pharaoh was likely either Necho II or Psamtik II of Egypt's 26th Dynasty, who reigned during Jeremiah's time in the late seventh century BC. The Pharaohs of the Bible symbolize human opposition to God's will and serve as examples of how even powerful earthly rulers ultimately fall under divine judgment.
Biography
This Pharaoh is mentioned in Jer.25.19 as one of the kings and nations that would face God's judgment and be forced to drink the cup of His wrath. The prophecy was given by Jeremiah during the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, warning of the impending Babylonian invasion and the destruction it would bring upon various nations, including Egypt.
The specific identity of this Pharaoh is not provided in the text. However, based on the historical context of Jeremiah's prophecy, it is likely that this Pharaoh was either Necho II (610-595 BC) or Psamtik II (595-589 BC) of the 26th Dynasty of Egypt. These Pharaohs reigned during the time of the Babylonian Empire's rise to power and its eventual conquest of Judah and other nations in the region.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentJeremiah 1 verse
- Jeremiah 25:19
"Pharaoh king of Egypt, his officials, his leaders, and all his people;"
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | פַּרְעֹה | parĕʿōh | Paroh , a general title of Egyptian kings |